Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal, Karnataka

Known to be the grandest and the biggest of all the temples that are located in Pattadakal, Virupaksha Temple was built in 740 AD by queen Lokamahadevi, in order to mark the victory of her husband, king Vikramaditya II. This is a marvelously designed temple which boasts of a glorious past and is also the best preserved temple that acts as a specimen of Chalykya art.

The architecture of this temple is beautiful which holds a special place in history. This is regarded as the most sophisticated temple among all the temples built during the reign of Chalykyas. Pillars of this temple depict various episodes from the Mahabharata, Ramayana and Bhagavata. A large image of Nandi is also placed in a square pavilion on a raised floor.

The interiors of this temple are well decorated with elegant carvings of different deities. A number of inscriptions that record the victory of ruler Vikramaditya II are inscribed all over the temple.